According to the report of that organization in charge of promoting tourism and foreign investment in the South American nation, the main boost to this growth came from non-resident foreigners.

This sector represented 65.4 percent of the total arrivals to the country, with a figure of three million 483 thousand 689 visitors, which means an increase of 11.1 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

For their part, Colombians residing abroad registered one million 429 thousand 410 arrivals, with a growth of 10.2 percent and a participation of 26.8 percent.

As for cruise passengers and travelers from Venezuela for vacation purposes, these segments contributed 4.3 percent and 3.4 percent of total arrivals, respectively.

In the first half of 2024, the source said, 80.3 percent of spending by foreign visitors in Colombia was concentrated in 10 countries, with the United States, Mexico and Ecuador leading the list.

This spending, processed through credit cards, generated revenues of more than one billion dollars, with an average spending of 104 dollars per card.

The United States and Spain lead among the issuing markets, concentrating more than 37 percent of reservations to Colombia.

Meanwhile, Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena remain the most requested destinations by international travelers, Procolombia noted.

According to the director of the entity, Carmen Caballero, these results consolidate Colombia as a leading destination in the region, not only for its cultural and natural wealth, but also for the effectiveness of an international tourism promotion strategy designed to highlight the diversity and beauty of the country.

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